Fabric clasp, hose supporter, garter and the like having hook and aperture clasping means



Oct 1967 K. D. LAMBERS 3,3432

FABRIC CLASP, HOSE SUPPORTER, GARTER AND THE LIKE HAVING HOOK AND APERTURE CLASPING MEANS Filed Sept. 8, 1966 INVENTOR. A s/zm/ 0. amaze;

United States Patent Ofifice 3,345,928 Patented Got. 17, 1967 3,346,928 FABRI CLASI, HGSE SUPPGRTER, GARTER AND THE LIKE HAVING HOOK AND APER- TURE CLASPING MEANS 1 Kenneth D. Lambers, 714 Wiid'wood Drive,

Holland, Mich. 49423 Filed Sept. 8, 1966, Ser. No. 578,942 4 Claims. (Cl. 24-245) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A fabric clasp, hose supporter, garter and the like which is made of two flat pieces of material connected together at one end so as to permit the other end to be free for movement. The free ends have hook means so that a fabric can be received therebetween and the ends can then 'be hooked together. The pieces in hooked together position are arranged flat against each other and the hook means is so constricted that no protrusion or bump exists. Each piece has side edge portions which extend beyond the marginal side edge of the other piece so as to facilitate easy grasping of each piece separately for manipulating the same.

This invention relates to a fabric clasp, hose supporter, garter and the like and more particularly to a womans stocking support clasp for clasping and retaining the stocking to the supporter.

The predominant present-day fabric clasps used for the purposes enumerated above include a looped member having a configuration adapted to receive the stud of a button which is mounted on a piece of fabric. The button is placed underneath the stocking and the metal loop is then placed over the button and pulled upwardly between the top of the button and the fabric so as to clamp the fabric around the button and hold the stocking to the support strap.

This type of hose supporter, garter or fabric clasp has been used for a number of years despite the fact that the button is quite frequently an annoyance to the wearer and also is quite unsightly by virtue of showing through the present-day tight body-conforming dresses worn by many women today. As a result, many efforts have been made in the past to devise a fabric clasp which can be substituted therefor. However, to my knowledge, no such fabric clasps, garters, or hose supporter has yet been devised which is easy to use, smooth in configuration, simple in construction, and have all the other qualities which are so necessary for a suitable clasp of this type.

In accordance with this invention, I have provided a flat, detachable clasp particularly for gripping and supporting fabric and other flexible materials used in stocklugs and other wearing apparel. The present clasp not only has good holding and clasping qualities, but it is very smooth, easy to use or operate, will not damage fabric, and is more comfortable to the wearer.

In addition, my clasp is simple in construction and eX- tremely durable by reason of the simplicity and the materials from which it is made.

With my invention, all buttons are completely eliminated which in turn eliminates the bumps in clothing created by the present-day type of button fasteners. My clasp is not only advantageous in eliminating the bumps for appearance reasons, but it is very smooth on the skin of the wearer and leaves no depressions or sore spots caused by such depressions which presently are encountered by the use of presentday clasps.

In order to fully appreciate the present invention, reference is made to the following specification and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fabric clasp, garter or hose supporter of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial view of a persons leg showing the clasp in operation holding up a stocking;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of my clasp, garter or stocking support taken along the section line III-HI of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the two clasping members which form an important part of the entire support, garter or clasp;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of my clasp with the two clasping members in locked position and illustrating the position of the fingers when the wearer opens or closes the clasp;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view showing one preferred form of the invention and illustrating the relative positions of the two clasping members during the locking operation;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another form of my invention; and

FIG. 8 shows the form of my invention as shown by FIG. 7 and also illustrates the relative positions of the two clasping members during the locking operation.

Briefly, this invention relates to a fabric clasp, garter and/or stocking support which comprises two almost completely flat members. These two flat members have end portions interconnected to each other in such a fashion to permit said members to lie substantially fiat against each other. One of the members has an opening in its free end portion and the other member has an integral, substantially rigid, hook-like means at its free end portion. The hook-like means is formed by an offset portion extending away from the plane of the member and arranged to extend through the opening of the other clasping member. This hook-like means also has a terminal portion which is integral with the offset portion and arranged to extend in at least one direction beyond the boundary of the opening when the hook-like means is located in locked position within the opening. The clasping members are so interconnected or are so constructed that means is provided to permit relative movement between portions of the members in a direction which permits in sertion of this integral and substantially hook-like means through the opening. In accordance with this invention the fabric or stocking is held between these two clasping members.

Another aspect of this invention is the provision of two flat clasping members interconnected at one end and having securement means at the other end. The flat members each have on one marginal side thereof, between the interconnected and free ends of the members, side edge portions which are exposed for grasping so as to facilitate the separation and manipulation of the two grasping members. The side edge portions are so exposed by extending one of the edges of one of the flat members beyond the corresponding edge of the other grasping member and vice versa.

Within a more narrow aspect of this invention the two clasping members are of substantially the same size and shape except for the free end portions wherein the hooklike grasping means is provided. The exposed edges are then provided by reversely orientating the two members by flipping one member over with respect to the other and assembling them in this position. This is very uniquely accomplished by making the two members crescent shaped as will be described hereinafter.

Now referring to hte drawings, reference numeral 1 designates the entire clasp assembly which is composed of the two clasping members 10 and 20 interconnected together by the strap 2 which is formed into the shape of a loop. Strap 2 is secured to a conventional fastener 3 by means of sewing the same along the line 4. It should be understood that the particular fastener 3 is only exemplary of the type of support means which may be provided. This could be replaced by any number of fastening means such as those which are adjustable or could be entirely eliminated by a strap which can be sewn to the undergarment.

The clasping members and 20 as noted by FIG. 4 are substantially the same shape and size except for the lower portion which will be described in more detail hereinafter. Clasping member 10 has a crescent shape which provides the cut-out portion 11 in the main body portion 12 of the member. At the top as viewed from FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, there is provided an interconnecting portion 13 in which there is provided a slot 14- through which the strap 2 is threaded. At the lower end, which will hereinafter be referred to as the clasping end 15, there is provided an elongated aperture 16. Clasping member 10 also has what will be referred to hereinafter as the thumb portion 17.

Clasping member 20 has an interconnecting portion 23 in which is located a slot 24 which also receives the strap 2, as will be described hereinafter. This member 20 is crescent shaped also, and thus has the cut-out portion 21 and the thumb portion 27. At the lower end, as viewed from FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, there is provided the clasping end 25 which has a hook-like construction formed by the offset 28 and the terminal end portion 29. Intermediate the interconnecting end 23 and the clasping end 25 is the main body portion 22.

As previously stated, the two clasping members 10 and 20 are interconnected by the strap 2 which is in the form of a loop threaded through the openings 14 and 24. It will be noted, as specifically shown by FIGS. 1, 2 and 5,that the two clasping members are oriented and placed one upon the other so as to form in effect an egg-shaped clasping assembly. This is accomplished by arranging the two members which have substantially the same shape and size in a reversed orientated position by flipping one of the members over with respect to the other. Thus, as noted.

by FIG. 5, the two thumb or finger portions 17 and 27 are exposed so they each can be gripped very easily by the thumb and finger for manipulating the two parts for either locking or unlocking.

The clasp member 10 and 20 are constructed of a plastic material preferably called Delrin, a trademarked plastic produced by E. I. du Pont de Nemours. The thick ness of the material is preferably between .020 and .060 inch. However, other plastics could be used just as well; for example, polypropylene and polyethylene. In fact, metal could probably-be used with some aspects of this invention.

The two parts are easily locked together on the grasping ends and 25 by providing a means whereby the two ends can be orientated with respect to each other so the hook-like means, comprising portions 28 and 29 of member 20, can be inserted through. a slot opening 16 of member 10. One preferred way of accomplishing this is to provide the loop in the strap 2 so the interconnecting ends can be separated and the two clasping ends can be orientated such as shown by FIG. 6. In other words, either one or both of the members 10 are slid along the loop formed by the strap 2 so the two interconnecting ends 23 and 13 are separated, permitting the two clasping ends 25 and 15 to be so orientated that the terminal end portion 29 and offset portion 28 can be progressively inserted through the slot 16. It should be understood that either one or the other or both of the members 10 and can be slid along the loop into the proper position so the two ends 15 and can be properly orientated. This depends upon the particular person and the exact position of all the elements.

FIG. 3 shows the two clasping members 10 and 20 locked together with the fabric in between. It will be noted that in this position only smooth surfaces are provided; there are no substantial protrusions which will 4 stick into the body of the wearer. There are no protrusions which will stick out and show through clothing. Further, the fabric or stocking 30 is held securely without-being damaged.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a modification wherein the two interconnected ends 13a and 23a are secured directly together by a so-called living hinge construction. This living hinge construction comprises a single molded piece having a thick upper end 2a branching off into the members 10a and 20a. A hinge is formed at the juncture of members 10a and 20a to the end 2a. In this modification the two clasping members are fabricated from a thin material which has sufficient flexibility to permit bending of the same so the two clasping ends 25aand 15a can be properly orientated so the hook-like end, comprising offset portion 28a and terminal end portion 29a of the member 20a, can be inserted through the elongated opening or aperture (not designated) of the member 10a. The elastic band 31 can be secured through either opening 24a or slot 14a. This construction is less expensive to manufacture and also provides automatic alignment of one fiat member on the other.

Operation From the above description, the operation of this de vice should be quite evident. The wearer normally secures the clasp or stocking support to an undergarment so it extends down, as shown by FIG. 2. After pulling up her stockings, the wearer places the top of the stocking between the two grasping elements 10 and 20 and then pro-- ceeds as in accordance with the preferred modification to separate the two interconnecting tops 13 and 23, as shown by FIG. 6, so as to orientate the two ends 15 and 25 so the terminal portion 29 and offset portion 28 can be inserted through the opening 16. In so doing, the fabric is pushed along with the terminal end 25 through the opening} 16 and ends up firmly clasped in position as shown by F1 3.

It is important to note that in the preferred aspect of this invention, the two clasping elements 10 and 20 are arranged so the thumb or finger portions 17 and 27 are both exposed for grasping between the thumb and a finger. Thus, when grasped between the two fingers, the two elements can be hooked together without the fingers getting into the way and, once hooked together, can be unlocked or unhooked in the same manner.

After theinitial step of separating the two interconnecting ends 13 and 23 and hooking the two ends 15 and and 25 together, the two clasp members 10 and 20 are released. There is sufiicient tension on the stocking or on any rubber resilient support to which the clasp is connected, so that a force is exerted on the strap 2 causing it to force the two ends 13 and 23 together, holding them in that position and thus helping to hold the hook ends 15 and 25 together and securely grasp and support the stocking.

The operation of the modification shown in FIG. 7 is quite similar, the only difference being that the two members 1011 and 20a are flexed outwardly so as to orientate the two ends 15a and 25a. Once the two ends 1512 and 25a are hooked together, releasing of the members 10a and 20a causes them to snap together into abutting relationship, securely holding the locking means into position and thus securely supporting the stocking.

It should be evident from the above description that this invention provides a flat detachable clasp which firmly grips and supports fabrics such as stockings. The elements will not damage the fabric. The comfort experienced by the wearer is greatly increased by reason of no bumps or protrusions which stick into the body. The clasp gives a neater appearance on the outside, since no protrusions stick through or protrude out so as to show through the dress or wearing apparel of the wearer. It should also be evident that this invention provides a clasp which is easy and simple to operate, is simple in construction so it can be fabricated at a reasonable price, and is durable since the parts are not subject to wear or breakage.

It should be understood that, although we have described this invention particularly in relation to the use for holding up womens stockings, the invention could be applied for many different uses such as holding up mens stockings or for securing fabric or supporting fabric in different uses for wearing apparel.

Although we have described the preferred embodiments of this invention, it should also be understood that this invention should not be limited in any way except as expressly set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a fabric clasp comprising a first substantially fiat member, a second substantially fiat member; said members each having an interconnecting end portion, a free end portion, and a body portion therebetween; means interconnection said interconnecting end portions of each of said first and second members and permitting said body portions to be moved relative to each other and lie substantially fiat against each other; said first member having an opening at its free end portion; said second member having an integral, substantially rigid, hook-like means at its free end portion; said hook-like means being formed by an offset portion extending away from the plane of said second member toward said first member and arranged to extend through said opening, and a terminal portion integral with said offset portion and arranged to extend in at least one direction beyond the boundary of said opening when said offset portion is located within said opening; and means permitting relative movement between the two free end portions of said members in a direction longitudinally of at least one member to permit insertion of said integral and substantially rigid hooklike means through said opening; the improvement comprising a side edge portion of said body portion of said first fiat member extending beyond the marginal side edge of the second fiat member and on the opposite marginal side thereof a side edge portion of the body portion of said second fiat member extending beyond the marginal side edge of the first fiat member, whereby a person can simultaneously grasp the first flat member on its said side edge portion and the second fiat member on its said side edge portion for manipulating the same.

2. A fabric clasp comprising a first substantially fiat member, a second substantially flat member; said members each having an interconnecting end portion, a free end portion, and a body portion therebetween; means interconnecting said interconnecting end portions of each of said first and second members and permitting said body portions to be moved relative to each other and lie substantially flat against each other; said first member having an elongated opening at its free end portion extending lengthwise in a direction across the width of said free end and being substantially greater in length than in width; said second member having an integral, substantially rigid, hook-like means at its free end portion; said hook-like means being formed by an offset portion extending away from the plane of said second member toward said first member and arranged to extend through said opening, and a terminal portion integral with said offset portion and arranged to extend in at least one direction beyond the boundary of said opening and on the opposite side of said first member than the body portion of said second member when said offset portion is located within said opening the length and overhang of said terminal portion beyond the boundary of said opening being greater than the width of said elongated opening; and means permitting relative movement between the two free end portions of said members in a direction longitudinally of at least one member to permit insertion of said integral and substantially rigid hook-like means through said opening; the improvement comprising a side edge portion of said body portion of said first fiat member extending beyond the marginal side edge of the second fiat member and on the opposite marginal side thereof a side edge portion of the body portion of said second flat member extending beyond the marginal side edge of the first flat member, whereby a person can simultaneously grasp the first fiat member on its said side edge portion and the second flat member on its said side edge portion for manipulating the same.

3. A fabric clasp comprising a first fiat member, a second flat member; said members each having an interconnected end portion, a free end portion, and a body portion therebetween; means interconnecting said interconnecting end portions of said first and second members and permitting said body portions to lie substantially fiat against each other; said free end portions having cooperating securement means whereby a fabric can be secured between said fiat members when said free end portions are secured together; and said flat members having on the marginal sides of said body portions a side edge portion of said first fiat member extending beyond the marginal side edge of the second fiat member and on the opposite marginal side thereof a side edge portion of said second flat member extending beyond the marginal side edge of the first flat member on its said side edge portion for manipulating the same; said fiat members, except for the free end portions, being substantially the same size and shape but when assembled being reversely oriented by one member being in flipped over position with respect to the other member.

4. The device of claim 3 in which each fiat member is substantially crescent shaped.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 177,882 5/1876 Philbrook 24243 631,659 8/1899 Orewiler 24263 833,928 10/1906 Housel 24245 1,076,977 10/ 1913 Grout et al 24-245 1,447,325 3/1923 Rhodes 24245 2,033,854 3/1936 Signorini 242A6 2,163,521 6/1939 Schuhmacher 24-248 2,733,448 2/1956 Stogoski 2335 X FOREIGN PATENTS 622,187 6/1961 Canada. 1,258,728 3/ 1961 France. 1,062,191 7/1959 Germany.

MILTON S. MEHR, Primary Examiner. OTHELL M. SIMPSON, Examiner. 

1. IN A FABRIC CLASP COMPRISING A FIRST SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT MEMBER, A SECOND SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT MEMBER; SAID MEMBERS EACH HAVING AN INTERCONNECTING END PORTION, A FREE END PORTION, AND A BODY PORTION THEREBETWEEN; MEAN INTERCONNECTION SAID INTERCONNECTING END PORTIONS OF EACH OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND MEMBERS AND PERMITTING SAID BODY PORTIONS TO BE MOVED RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER AND LIE SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT AGAINST EACH OTHER; SAID FIRST MEMBER HAVING AN OPENING AT ITS FREE END PORTION; SAID SECOND MEMBER HAVING AN INTEGRAL, SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID, HOOK-LIKE MEANS AT ITS FREE END PORTION; SAID HOOK-LIKE MEANS BEING FORMED BY AN OFFSET PORTION EXTENDING AWAY FROM THE PLANE OF SAID SECOND MEMBER TOWARD SAID FIRST MEMBER AND ARRANGED TO EXTEND THROUGH SAID OPENING, AND A TERMINAL PORTION INTEGRAL WITH SAID OFFSET PORTION AND ARRANGED TO EXTEND IN AT LEAST ONE DIRECTION BEYOND THE BOUNDARY OF SAID OPENING WHEN SAID OFFSET PORTION IS LOCATED WITHIN SAID OPENING; AND MEANS PERMITTING RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO FREE END PORTIONS OF SAID MEMBERS IN A DIRECTION LONGITUDINALLY OF AT LEAST ONE MEMBER TO PERMIT INSERTION OF SAID INTEGRAL AND SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID HOOKLIKE MEANS THROUGH SAID OPENING; THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A SIDE EDGE PORTION OF SAID BODY PORTION OF SAID FIRST FLAT MEMBER EXTENDING BEYOND THE MARGINAL SIDE EDGE OF THE SECOND FLAT MEMBER AND ON THE OPPOSITE MARGINAL SIDE THEREOF A SIDE EDGE PORTION OF THE BODY PORTION OF SAID SECOND FLAT MEMBER EXTENDING BEYOND THE MARGINAL SIDE EDGE OF THE FIRST FLAT MEMBER, WHEREBY A PERSON CAN SIMULTANEOUSLY GRASP THE FIRST FLAT MEMBER ON ITS SAID SIDE EDGE PORTION AND THE SECOND FLAT MEMBER ON ITS SAID SIDE EDGE PORTION FOR MANIPULATING THE SAME. 